PFF Proposes Broncos Sign Ex-Bucs RB Leonard Fournette

The Denver Broncos have been pushed to sign a veteran running back not named Dalvin Cook.

Putting forward one move each NFL team should execute prior to training camp, Pro Football Focus' Brad Spielberger suggested the Broncos add former Buccaneers star Leonard Fournette, who remains a free agent following three seasons in Tampa Bay.

"Denver signed free agent Samaje Perine, who brings pass-catching and blocking ability, and will eventually get 2021 second-round pick Javonte Williams back from a knee injury, but an early-down runner could be needed here to start the season," Spielberger wrote on June 28.

"Fournette wasn’t at his best in 2022, but the injury-decimated Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line struggled to create any rushing lanes. In 2021, Fournette’s 3.2 yards after contact per attempt ranked 15th among running backs, with his 12.2% stuff rate a bottom-10 rate among running backs with at least 50 carries. While the two never crossed paths with the New Orleans Saints, Fournette and new Broncos head coach Sean Payton have the Louisiana connection, so this could be one of the better team fits available to him."

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Fournette, the fourth overall pick of the 2017 draft, spent his first three years with the Jacksonville Jaguars before joining forces with Tom Brady in Tampa, given the nickname "Lombardi Lenny" upon winning Super Bowl LV. He was merely "Playoff Lenny" before hoisting the trophy, as he averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored four total touchdowns during the 2020 postseason.

Altogether, Fournette, who turned 28 in January, has rushed for 4,478 yards and 34 TDs on 1,132 carries across 79 career games (61 starts), chipping in 312 catches for 2,219 receiving yards and seven TDs.

However, Fournette doesn't offer more than either Broncos RB, Javonte Williams or Samaje Perine — that is, as Spielberger said, early-down banger availability. If anything, the team needs an explosive, change-of-pace back to complement the aforementioned. Which Fournette isn't.

Judging by their recent inactivity at the position, Denver appears content to roll into camp with Williams, Perine, Tony Jones, Tyler Badie, and Jaleel McLaughlin making up the depth chart.

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